What's Up Wednesday ~ February 2024

Hi everyone!  After a week away,  I am linking up today with for the February recap......

What I'm eating this week........

I will be eating out this week!  I am still making 2 loaves of sourdough bread each week.  I am freezing some, eating some and sharing some.

What I'm reminiscing about...........

I am trying to actually think more about my future these days.

What I'm loving..............

I am loving the spring weather.  It has been nice to take some outside walks and not have the heat or a/c on in the house.  

What I've been up to...........

I am visiting my girls and best friend this week to take some time away and get some hugs and encouragement. 

What I'm dreading..............

Did someone say tax season?

What I'm working on...............

I am still working 4-5 days a week & always have a list there.  At home, I am working on trying to sleep and eat better.  Some days are good, and other days, well, not so much.

What I'm excited about.................

A spring trip to Nashville!

What I'm watching/reading.............

A few shows I've watched lately are - Murderville, Traitors, American Nightmare, Fool Me Once.

I have also discovered Family Ties on Pluto TV.  If nothing else is on tv, it is now my background tv show. 

What I'm listening to...................

I feel like I am always adding/deleting podcasts from my list.  The most recent addition is Living Proof Ministries by Beth Moore.  I have only listened to one episode so far, but want to listen to more.

What I'm wearing............

I feel like I am wearing all the inbetween things with it becoming spring like weather here.  Honestly, nothing exciting.  I think I'm growing tired of my winter clothes and probably need some new winter dresses.  I have so many spring dresses, but not as many winter.  

What I'm doing this weekend..............

I am looking forward to going to a women's conference at my former church.  I am hoping to be encouraged and see old friends.

What I'm looking forward to next month.............

I am taking a day trip to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  I am not a Univeristy of Alabama fan, however, I do love going to see a college town.  

What else is new.............

This was just the inspiration I needed to read this week!

Have a great day!

Weekend Wrap-Up ~ February 19, 2024

Good morning. Here are a few highlights from last week and the weekend.

Hopefully you are able to enjoy a day off and sunshine where you are on this Monday holiday.

Last week, a sweet family from church invited me to join them for Valentine's dinner at a pizza place.  I love being around them and their cute 3 kids.

Thursday night, I spent the night with my sister and was able to see all her kids and grandkids, my greats.  I can't ever say enough how much I love these kiddos. 

I discovered Pluto TV and have had so much fun watching old episodes of Family Ties.  I loved this show and my girls watched it as well in reruns.

Saturday morning, I finally tried this recipe that has been on several blogs.  It was delicious, but I did add a package of bacon bits.

This is a picture of it after half was gone!

Thanks to a tip from Jennifer, I researched on Pinterest and changed my phone screen saver to this peaceful scene.

Speaking of Jennifer, we met up for dinner Saturday night and went shopping afterwards.  I got this fun dress!

Once again, I went to my daughter's closet and borrowed her jacket and wore it over my outfit to church Sunday.

Sunday afternoon, I went on a walk with a friend.  It turned cold over the weekend. So while I walked in a sweatshirt with my ear covering, daffodils were also popping up in the yard.

Enjoy the day!

Let's Look ~ February 2024

 I am linking up today with the Let's Look series of 2024.

Little things we do every day......

Well, this may seem a little routine, but playing along with the prompts, here are my every day routines!

Brush my teeth :)

Wash my face  - My morning routine is pretty simple.  I wash with just water, follow up with a face roller and use e.l.f. moisturizer.

Take vitamins

Eat a protein bar (either a Quest or Built bar)

Read devotional book

Check my phone for messages (text/Instagram/Facebook Message/What's App)

Text or call with my best friend in North Carolina

Check my emails, personal and work

Most days....

Cook dinner

Read/post blogs

Listen to podcasts

Go on a walk inside or on the treadmill

Watch TV

Read

This basically sums up a day in the life of routine things for me!

Valentine Decor 2024

Good morning.  Today I am sharing some Valentine decor I put out this month.  Not too much has changed since last year as I really don't buy new Valentine decor these days.  I will spend tomorrow focusing on Isaiah 54.  Thankful for the love and prayers of this community! 

And from inspiration from Jennifer, I found this screensaver.  I like the look of the frame!

 

Share Our Lives ~ February 2024

Good morning.  I am linking up with these blog friends for Share Our Lives.  

How You Met your Significant Other & Best Friend...

I have been married for 25 years.  

We met through a mutual friend 30 years ago this fall when a group of us went to the the Mid-South Fair.  We hit it off that night and the group came back to my house after the fair.  I remember everyone staying until middle of the night.  We were all in our young 20's so we could stay awake late then!

We were friends for 3 1/2 years and then had a short engagement of 3 1/2 weeks, then we got married on a trail in Glacier National Park in Montana.  It was a whirlwhind 3 weeks to say the least.  After being such good friends for 3 1/2 years, I was about to move overseas and it was a moment where we realized we wanted to get married.  We got married with just us, a local pastor and his wife, and another couple we met the night before that were our witnesses.  It really was a sweet story how we met them. They were a retired couple in Montana for the summer doing mission work. We even went to church with them the next day and kept in touch for many years until they passed away.  Here are some pictures from over the years.

Because we didn't have a traditional ceremony, we renewed our vows at 10 years, which was a sweet event.  We went back to Glacier National Park on our 20th anniversary and took our daughters, which was really special too. Here are some pictures below from our 20th anniversary trip with our girls.

Here we are below in the same spot in 1998 and in 2018, 20 years later.

In all honesty, the past few years have been really difficult for us and if you are a praying person, in full humility, I would love your prayers.  In spite of these challenges, I still wanted to honor my husband and share a little bit of how we met here.

I have a best friend who lives in Charlotte, NC.  We lived there the first 5 years of our marriage.  I met this friend through church.  We have always stayed in touch, but the past few years, we talk several times a week and text most days.  Let me say, I honestly don't know how I would have made it these past few years without her.  I have called out many times in tears and she has prayed for me and encouraged me.

I am thankful for these relationships, through the good and the bad.

Hope you had a good weekend and have a good Monday!

 

Friday Favorites ~ February 9, 2024

 Happy Friday blog friends!  Today I am linking up for a few favorites to share.....

ONE

Monday was my daughter's birthday.  A few years ago, she gave us all socks with her face on them.  I couldn't help but wear mine on Monday in her honor!

TWO

I knew I was due for an eye appointment soon, but I went this week after my glasses broke. I basically needed to go so I could find out what my prescription strength would be.  I bought the cheapest glasses I could from the eye doctor and then ordered some progressive glasses from Amazon.  Until they came in, I basically was wearing my prescription sunglasses.

THREE

After my visit to the Lodge store last week, I had purchased a cornbread mix and made it in my new skillet.  It tasted delicious!

FOUR

My favorite treat is frozen yogurt & my favorite yogurt shop is Menchie's.  Tuesday was National Frozen Yogurt day, so of course I had to go!

FIVE

Speaking of snacks/desserts, I made this quick little dessert this week:

I mixed one sugar free pudding mix into a container of thawed whipped topping (cool whip).  I mixed that well with a spoon and then crumbled a Fiber One Brownie in a serving.  It makes a brownie/mousse dessert.  It was pretty good and hit the spot after coming home after a long day.  Most of my days have been long this week due to running errands after work each day.

SIX

My niece was flying solo this week with her kids so it was fun to join them for dinner last night.

SEVEN

I am working a longer day today and even tomorrow due to our special event.  I am thankful to be a part of this though, so it is nice when work doesn't feel like work!

Have a great weekend!

Currently ~ February 2023

 I am linking up with my sweet friend Jennifer for this month's Currently series.

I am currently.......

Loving

I am loving the sunshine this week and milder temperatures.  I am not ready for summer temperatures yet, but I am enjoying the sunshine and it just makes for brighter days!

Looking forward to

I am looking forward to a girls weekend trip in April.  I am also looking forward to a day trip next month.  This weekend, we have a work event which is always fun to see lots of people.  

Changing

I am changing the way I view certain things and learning to be more confident and strong in my identity in the Lord.  This has come through some hardships, but looking to the Lord to keep me strong in the changes.

Celebrating

I celebrated my daughter's 23rd birthday last weekend.  I don't have any other major celebrations upcoming other than trying to celebrate the gift of life each day.

Happy Wednesday!

Weekend Recap ~ February 6, 2024

 

Good morning.  Today I am sharing a few more highlights of my weekend & linking with Talking about it Tuesdays.  We went to to see my oldest daughter to help celebrate her birthday.  My youngest drove up to meet us there, so it was great to see both girls again.  

Friday night, Isabella already had plans and I have learned to be very flexible when visiting the girls.  We went out to eat with Brook and walked into the lobby of this nice hotel.  I love looking at fancy ceilings!

Saturday started with us all having coffee at a cute, local coffee shop.  Then we went to a store, lunch and then to see Isabella's new office at work.  We went over to the gym afterwards and played some basketball and some table top games.

Saturday night, we went to dinner and one of her dear friends whom we love came as well.

Love her joy for life and smile!

Sunday, we went to church and then lunch.  Here I am with my sweet younger daughter, Brook.  Love her too!  Hugs from girls is just what this momma needed

On the way home, we stopped at this Lodge store.  The outdoor display was creative.

Skillets were used for their hands and feet.

The cast iron corn piece was used for the legs.

For the first time in years, we watched the Grammys.  Then it was back to work on Monday and then again today. 

Enjoy your day!